wicked.football

Metz president Bernard Serin has explained why Tottenham pipped all other suitors to the signature of exciting young midfielder Pape Sarr.

The 18-year-old joined the club on August 27, with Spurs paying Metz £14.6m for his signature. However, the Senegal international will play for the Ligue 1 outfit this term, after returning to Metz. The north Londoners brought in five new players in the off season.

Big things are expected of Sarr, who was also chased by a number of Tottenham’s Premier League rivals.

Aston Villa were said to be leading the race, before teams with European football on offer muscled in.

It was also reported that Metz’s president would fly to England to discuss Sarr with Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City.

However, it was Spurs who won the race – and now Serin has explained Fabio Paractici secured his signature.

And the Metz chief admits that getting to keep Sarr for another season played a major part.

“The cherry on top is that we can keep him for an extra year with us,” he told Graoully Mag on Moselle TV. “I was very attached to that idea because, in the end, with the matches being played in empty stadiums last year, the fans hadn’t seen him.

“Therefore, the fact of transferring him without the fans being given a chance to see him. That hurt me, and so I insisted to have him for a year and I’m very satisfied that we have him for 2021-22 season.”

Sarr has started all nine games for Metz this season. Indeed, Serin insists there is plenty more to come from the teenager.

Furthermore, he claims he is happy with the transfer fee they collected for the midfielder.

“Obviously, we always wish to get more. But he’s still a kid who has played very few games in Ligue 1, who turned 18 on September 14 2020, and we’re talking about a transfer when he’s not even 19.

“So, in the end, when I look at the transfer fee plus the bonuses that we can get when he plays for Spurs, I think we can be satisfied.”

Robinho, Eto’o or Johnson? Which example will Newcastle follow with their new-found wealth?

Sarr compared to Paul Pogba

Tottenham director of football Paratici has made his feelings clear on just how good the youngster could be.

And now famed transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has added his take on the starlet.

The Italian revealed he has been speaking to a ‘source’ about the player. And it is good news for Spurs fans.

“I am told this guy is really more than an interesting talent. He is really potential, fantastic talent,” he said on his YouTube channel.

“One of my sources told me he could become one style of Pogba player. He has style, he has potential, he has skills, so we will see what happens with this guy.”

READ MORE: Paratici denial a smokescreen, as Tottenham secretly work on striker deal

The post Ligue 1 chief reveals how Paratici ace card secured Tottenham deal for upcoming star appeared first on TEAMtalk.